Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. bipinnatifida
Common eucrypta
Photo: parent species Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. bipinnatifida (Common eucrypta) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by distinguished primarily by leaf division and inflorescence size.
Common eucrypta is a California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada Foothills, Tehachapi, San Bernardino Mountains, eastern Peninsular Range, Sierra Nevada East, and Desert regions in rocky habitats including cliffs, slopes, and washes at elevations of 30 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces small white to pale lavender flowers in compact clusters approximately 4 to 8 blooms wide. Growing with ascending to erect stems, it develops branching stems reaching up to 30 centimeters tall with a delicate, open structure. Its lower leaves are 2 to 7 centimeters long with 7 to 9 distinctive lobes, creating a finely dissected appearance that gives the plant a feathery, intricate texture. The tiny fruits are approximately 2 to 3 millimeters in diameter, complementing the plant's delicate architectural form.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished primarily by leaf division and inflorescence size
Habitat and range
Habitat: Cliffs, rocky slopes, washes, crevices
Elevation: 30-2300 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Kern, Riverside, Inyo, San Diego, Los Angeles, Imperial, San Benito, Santa Barbara, Alameda, San Luis Obispo, Ventura
Outside California: Nevada, Arizona, northwest Mexico
Bloom period
Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. bipinnatifida blooms Mar-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Phacelia: Eucrypta feels very sticky to touch and retains seeds in fruit; Phacelia is typically non-sticky and seeds fall out cleanly.; vs Pholistoma: Eucrypta has finely divided fern-like leaves; Pholistoma has broader, less divided leaves with backward-pointing bristles.; vs Nemophila: Eucrypta has very sticky herbage and tiny flowers; Nemophila is non-sticky with showy saucer-shaped flowers.; vs Cryptantha: Eucrypta has fern-like divided leaves; Cryptantha has simple narrow leaves covered in stiff hairs.; vs Emmenanthe: Eucrypta flowers spread outward; Emmenanthe flowers hang downward like bells and become papery when dry.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. bipinnatifida native to California?
Yes. Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. bipinnatifida is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. bipinnatifida bloom?
Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. bipinnatifida blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. bipinnatifida grow?
Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. bipinnatifida occurs in San Bernardino, Kern, Riverside, Inyo, San Diego, Los Angeles, Imperial, San Benito and other counties, at elevations of 30-2300 m.
What plant family does Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. bipinnatifida belong to?
Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. bipinnatifida is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Eucrypta.
What habitat does Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. bipinnatifida grow in?
Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. bipinnatifida grows in Cliffs, rocky slopes, washes, crevices.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.